Just A Quick Post Today

Another cloudy, dreary day here.  Perfect for curling up on the sofa and stitching.  Before I do that, I thought I give you an update on my current project:

I worked all of the seam embroidery with Kreinik threads.

I also thought I would share a couple of new Hanging Pillows that mom made:

I guess that's all I have for today ladies!

Elegant Cross Stitch Sentiments For Crazy Quilting

I've been chattering a lot about my upcoming book, Elegant Cross Stitch Sentiments For Crazy Quilting.  No, I really don't design much cross stitch anymore but I had this fun idea for a book with some small cross stitch designs that could be used on crazy quilts.  It took me awhile to design the 60 plus patterns and then awhile longer to stitch up some models:

My assistant and editor Jason, is in the process of converting the patterns and putting the book together.  I'll have more information in the next couple of weeks regarding the book but in the meantime, I'm making some of the models available for purchase.  I'm keeping the Halloween one but the rest are in my Etsy shop.  And just so ya'll know, that purple and green hanging pillow is the cover design!

Valentines At Etsy

Most of you know, I'm not one to sit still for too long.  My Crazy Quilt Heart Valentines are done:

All are available now at Etsy.

Forget Me Not and Valentines

First, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who decided to take my Crazy Quilt Color and Composition Classes.  I'm thrilled to know that there are so many stitchers out there who want to learn my techniques!

I thought you would like to see a close up photo of Lesson 1 - Forget Me Not:

Lesson 2 will be released on January 21, 2013.  I'd also like to mention that if you signed up for Lesson 1 and plan to document your progress on a blog, website or photo album, please email me the link and I will post them here on my blog so every one can enjoy your photos!

And speaking of Valentines, I just listed 2 pretty Valentine's Day Door Hanging Pillows by mom over in my Etsy shop:

This pretty Pink Rose Door Hanger is made with a vintage hankie.

And this Valentine Heart Hanging Pillow is crayon tinted and hand embroidered by mom!

My Valentine Cat Dolls are all together now but I don't think I'll have time to list them until over the weekend.  I'll post photos when they're available.

4th Of July Decorations

A busy day yesterday!  I baked 2 double batches of muffins, did some laundry, made sure I had time to walk and spent the entire day listing our 4th of July decorations.  I didn't get to doing any stitching but I do feel like I accomplished a lot!

Here are mom's 4th of July door hangings:

And here are my 4th of July Crazy Quilt Door Pillows:

All are available at Kitty And Me Designs website as well as at Etsy.

In other news, Volume 1 of Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments is now available at Magcloud.

This means it can be delivered as a bound book!  We'll be getting Volume 2 ready and available soon too.  Then one by one, we'll be rereleasing my counted cross stitch patterns.

I have a lot going on here but for now, I need some stitching time.  I'm off to work on my strawberry project!

Rereleasing Cross Stitch Patterns

I have loads of news to share today.  First, I finished up on my Pink Rose Crazy Quilt Hanging Pillow.  Well, I finished stitching it yesterday:

Since I like to have a few things to sew together at one time, I pulled another project and when I finish it, I'll have 3 things to sew together.  Want to guess the theme on this one?

I have some pretty little strawberry beads that I made from polymer clay awhile back.  I want to use them on this piece.

In other news, I get so many requests for my retired cross stitch designs that I decided to just make them all available again.  It'll take a little while to get them all ready but I will be making them available at Magcloud so anyone who wants them can purchase them either as a hard copy or as a digital download.  I will post them here as they become available.  I think this will be the easiest way to publish them.

Also, I will be converting my Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatment Books to Macloud format as well.  Again, for anyone who prefers to have a hard copy rather than a digital copy, this is a nice option. 

Finally for today, here's my finished Cat Pillow:

This would be too cute for a baby's room!

Okay everyone, that's my new for today.  I have loads of new handmade things from mom so I'll have photos of those soon and my 4th of July door pillows are done so I'll have those to post soon too!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Machine Embroidery Vintage Hankies

I've been collecting vintage hankies for quite a few years now and I love to use them on my crazy quilt projects.  My favorite hankies are the ones with machine embroidery flowers on them.  They're quite easy to find for a dollar or 2 at flea markets and antique shops.

The purple rose on this hanging pillow is from a vintage handkerchief:

I finished embellishing this door hanger yesterday and then last night, I started on one with a pink rose:

I spent all day yesterday sewing.  I put a good couple of miles on my sewing machine, piecing loads of new blocks.  I wish I could sew some more new blocks today but I have other things that need to be done.  I do plan on having a few hours of stitching time later today.

Purple Roses Hanging Pillow

It was so terribly windy yesterday, Peggy and I decided not to walk.  But for today, it looks like the wind calmed down and the sun is out so we should be able to get our mile and 1/2 walk in.

Other than that, it's a stay at home day!  I'll be putting a few miles on my sewing machine.  I want to sew up some new blocks to stitch on and I have my 4th of July door hangers to put together.  I have left over taco salad for dinner so I don't even have to cook today!

Here's a quick update on my purple roses hanging pillow:

It needs a few more do-dads so I'll sit her for a bit and finish it up.

And here are couple more of mom's hanging pillows:

Mom hand embroidered and crayon tinted the butterfly and then the strawberries are from a vintage hankie that I found at a flea market last Summer.

1929 Model A Photos

We had pouring rain Saturday night and got some water in our garage.  Scott pulled the Model A out so he could clean things up and let the garage air out.  Since the car was in the driveway, I took the opportunity to take a few new photos:

This is just the antique plate for now.  We still have to get the real plates for it but it's the next thing on the list.  A few things need tweaking and there's still a few things we need to get for it but we plan to take if for it's Maiden Voyage out of the subdivision on the 4th of July.  My mom's house is only about 8 minutes down the road so we're going to drive it there for the first time.  I feel like we should have a band and escorts with little waving American Flags!!!  LOL!!!   Maybe a parade! It's been a long time coming!!!

In other news, I added a few new hanging pillows to the shop yesterday.  Mom made these:

I have several more that I'll add this afternoon.

Last but not least, I only got a little stitching time in yesterday but here's an update on my Purple Rose Door Hanger:

Have a nice day everyone!

Crazy Quilt Eagle

I started one more Patriotic door hanger.  This one has a vintage image of an eagle with the American flag:

I'm going to work on this now for an hour or so before I head over to mom's for some coffee.

Purple Pillow with Violets

Another hanging pillow stitched and ready to sew together:

I'll take a sewing day next week and get my latest projects all assembled!  Stop by tomorrow see Uncle Sam!

Magnolia Tree

Oh, the weather here is just gorgeous!  It's been the warmest March ever and although it feels a bit odd, I'm not complaining!

My Magnolia Tree is blooming.  It smells good and it's beautiful:

When I sit on my deck, this is what I get to see!  My grandmother loved Magnolias.  When I was little, my grandfather planted a Magnolia tree for her outside the picture window in their kitchen.  Grandma was so excited about this tree, that she had a party to celebrate it! 

We bought our house here in early March of 1993.  When we bought it, I had no idea that this tree was a Magnolia.  When it bloomed that first April, I was just thrilled!  It was something to remind me of my grandmother who passed away when I was 14.  Every year when it blooms, I think of her. We almost lost it a few years ago but thankfully, Scott was able to bring it back.

In other news, I finished up stitching on my little basket of kittens:

This design is from my collection of vintage Vogart embroidery patterns.  I love this design and have now stitched it twice!

I have 3 pieces now all ready to sew together which I'm planning on doing over the weekend.  Stop by again to see some new hanging pillows!

Another Gorgeous Day!

We have the weirdest weather in the Chicago area!  Since when is 75 degrees here in the middle of March?  But I'm not complaining!  I love it.  I've been walking with my neighbor Peggy every day, sitting out on my deck and having my windows open for the fresh air.

I did stitch yesterday but I didn't quite finish up on my embroidered basket piece.  For now, I'll share photos of my mom's newest door hanging pillows:

Door pillows seems to be the direction that mom and I are moving in with our shop.  They sell well and we love making them!  Always have!  And who doesn't have at least 1 door knob?  LOL!

The rose is already sold but the yellow daisies hanging pillow is still available.

I did finish up on my little basket crazy quilt pieces.  They're so pretty!  They look like little pieces of cake!  I'll post photos over the weekend.

Embroidering On The Deck

Yesterday was gorgeous!  Sunny and warm.  I have things growing in my yard and there are Robin's everywhere!  I spent some time yesterday afternoon, sitting out on my deck with a little embroidery design:

This is a basket filled with flowers.  I crayon tinted it.  The stitching lines are a little hard to see due to the camera flash.  I'm sure I'll have this finished up today.  It's a design from my vintage iron-on transfer collection.

I also spent a little time with my sewing machine yesterday.  Something I really enjoy!  What is it about the sound of that machine running?  And it doesn't matter if it's my electric machine or my treadle machine.  I love both of them.  The sound is so soothing on my nerves!

Anyway, I sewed up my little basket door pillows:

I just have to stuff these and do the hand finishing.  I think I'll do that before I run up to WalMart for a few things.

We have another nice day ahead so I plan to spend some more time out on my deck with my stitching.

Spring Hanging Pillows

I finished up my last 3 projects the other day and have photos to share!  Yeah!  One of my favorite things to make is door pillows aka hanging pillows.  I've made 100's of these over the years.  Some for myself, some for gifts and some to sell.  I have my little door pillows hanging on every door knob in the house and I change them for the holidays and seasons.  I love them!  They add color and a nice homey feel without taking up any space!  So here are my latest:

Also in our Boutique are another pair of earrings that Kathi made:

Her St Patrick's Day Earrings have sold out but a little birdie told me that there might be some Easter earrings coming!  These items and more can also be found at Etsy.

I'll be finishing up the stitching on my little pink purse today and then I have another custom order to do.  A pre-sewn block that I was asked to stitch and embellish so be sure to stop by tomorrow for updates!